Broadcaster Peter Donaldson has died aged 70, the BBC has announced. (Picture credit: BBC)
Radio 4 Today presenter John Humphrys said his former colleague, who had cancer, was "one of the great radio newsreaders".
Donaldson began his career with BFBS armed forces radio before joining BBC Radio 2 and quickly switching to Radio 4, where he became chief announcer in 1983.
He retired in 2012, signing off with the midnight news on New Year's Eve.
BBC Radio 4 controller Gwyneth Williams paid tribute to him, saying: "Peter was a magnificent broadcaster. His voice came to stand for Radio 4 and to stand for the high quality of our content.
"When you heard those deep tones on air you could expect the best – you believed what he said – and you felt, somehow, safe. He was enormously kind to me when I was a young producer and we would often share a chat over the headlines late at night in Broadcasting House. We will miss him."
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